The first tweet simply said: "We're tweeting live from HR where we're all being fired! Exciting!!!"

It then tweeted: "There are over 60 of us being fired at once! Mass execution, of loyal employees who love the brand. #hmvXFactorFiring"

Under the Twitter handle @hmvtweets the member of staff explained that they were going rogue to show their anger at the way staff had been treated following the announcement that the company had gone into administration.

Within minutes of the tweets starting it appeared that their plan had been rumbled after a tweet read: "Just overheard our Marketing Director (he's staying, folks!) ask "How do I shut down Twitter?"

Moments later, tweets were being deleted seconds after they had been posted. However, some later appeared again on the account.

Minutes after the live commentary began, administrators Deloitte, confirmed the loss of 190 jobs across the companies’ head office and distribution network.

It refused to comment on the Twitter hijack but said in a statement: "Since our appointment as Administrators over two weeks ago, we have been assessing the financial position of HMV.

"Following this review, a number of redundancies at the head office and distribution centres have been made.

"Although such decisions are always difficult, it is a necessary step in restructuring the business to enhance the prospects of securing its future as a going concern.

“We have been very pleased with the level of interest in the business as a going concern, whilst the response from customers has demonstrated the demand to see HMV remain on the high street.

"Equally, the support received from suppliers has been very positive and has enabled us to continue trading during the administration. As a result of all of these factors, I remain hopeful we will be able to secure a future for a restructured business.”